IEE Program Highlights

IEE researchers have developed a two-phase bio-fermentation system, designed and constructed for

the conversion of dairy manure to methane gas.

IEE and Southwest Environmental Center (SWEC) hosted Governor Bill Richardson and local officials in a

ribbon-cutting ceremony inaugurating the first commercial photovoltaic system (6-kilowatt) on the SWEC

roof in downtown Las Cruces.

IEE researchers designed a solar-powered parking structure constructed in front of the Student Health Center.

The PV structure is the first non-research, energy-production PV array on campus and the second largest system

of its kind in New Mexico.

NASA White Sands Test Facility Renewable Energy and Solar/Wind Development

IEE researchers are assisting the NASA White Sands Test Facility with renewable energy project development

by collecting solar and wind resource data, and performing energy storage analysis at the training facility in

White Sands, New Mexico.

Albuquerque Sunport / Energy Innovation Award for Power Project

IEE researchers implemented a solar combined heat and power project at Albuquerque’s Sunport, the largest airport in

the state. The solar energy technologies provide power to the Sunport while putting New Mexico front and center for

innovative, international solar energy development and application.

Office of Naval Research Water Security Program-Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility

IEE and the Water Resources Research Institute received an award from the Office of Naval research as part

of the NMSU Water Security Program in partnership with GE Water and Process Technology to do the

following: create significant knowledge leading to improvements in current desalination processes and

reduced costs that will benefit military and civilian communities.

DOE Solar America Initiative

IEE partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the Solar America Initiative in an effort to make solar

electricity from photovoltaics cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity from the utility grid by 2015.

The strategy pursues complementary activities in research and development (R & D) and in market transformation.

Infrastructure development / Agricultural College - Afghanistan

Robert Foster, Program Manager for the Institute for Energy and the Environment, recently volunteered to

assist with the $20 million U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Afghanistan Water,

Agriculture and Technology Transfer (AWATT) Program, where he serves as the Deputy Chief of Party in

Kabul, Afghanistan with the NMSU College of Agriculture. Robert will be drawing on his quarter century of

experience with renewable energy and rural development to help with Afghanistan reconstruction in the

water and agricultural sectors.